Convent Turns Away Prayer Controversy

January 25, 1985

A PLANNED Chicago prayer service of support for a group of American nuns and other signers of a statement on abortion has been moved from a Benedictine convent chapel after the religious order`s superior withdrew her permission for the group to use the facility. Sister Mary Ann O`Ryan, who heads the St. Scholastica Convent, 7416 N. Ridge Blvd., said Thursday that she initially approved the request but retracted permission when publicity suggested ``that the event was to support the signers` statement on abortion.`` The service is now planned for 3 p.m. Sunday at the Wellington Avenue United Church of Christ, 615 W. Wellington Ave. Sister Mary Ann said she received no orders to ban the prayer service at the convent chapel. The statement, signed by 24 nuns and about 75 other people, asserts there is a diversity of opinion on abortion within the Roman Catholic Church. The Vatican has told the nuns they have to remove their names from the statement or face harsh discipline.